His hospital stay and subsequent death sparked legions of tweets — fans, colleagues, celebrities all chiming in with thoughts on the late Olympic medalist, whose role in sports transcended the boxing ring.

Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend, & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli ! #GOAT

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Ali was well known for his refusal to enter the Vietnam War draft, which caused him to lose his championship titles, passport and boxing license and face imprisonment.

While biding his time before he could return to the stage, Ali easily morphed into an iconic figure for human rights. Between championing peace and converting to Islam, there was no sphere of influence missing Ali’s special touch.

Although time spent in the ring eventually took its toll on Ali, he didn't let Parkinson's stop him. The official biography on his website cited his efforts to raise funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center in Phoenix, while continuing to be an active public figure "dedicated to his faith and humanitarian beliefs."

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That said, it’s not too bold to echo the contents of the site itself: “Boxing was just one of the amazing facets of Muhammad Ali — the man. His story, told in and outside of the ring, is unparalleled in modern celebrity.”

A child asked Muhammad Ali what he would do when he retired. His long, beautiful answer stunned the crowd.https://t.co/qAuYcJUmv1